KEVIN MacDonald has revealed that he passed up the chance to join Gerard Houllier’s backroom staff because he believes the new manager must stamp his own mark on Villa.

It has emerged that MacDonald was offered an undefined role on Houllier’s coaching team rather than a traditional assistant boss’s role as first thought.

“My decision not to work with Mr Houllier directly was based more on the fact that I’m a big believer that managers, when they come in, should have their own staff and put their own mark on the place,” said MacDonald.

“That’s one of the reasons why I decided not to do it, plus I needed to go back to the reserves.

“Would I reconsider? I can’t really answer that because it looks like Mr Houllier is getting some other staff in anyway.”

MacDonald paid tribute to Tony McAndrew and Rafael Gonzalez who have assisted him during his caretaker stint.

McAndrew will return to work with the academy players, but MacDonald hopes Gonzalez will be offered the role of first team goalkeeping coach.

“Tony’s a very good mate of mine from when we first coached together at Leicester,” added MacDonald.

“People tend to forget he has done a tremendous amount of work.

“He stays a bit quieter, just backing up what I say to the players. Tony will go back to the youth team.

“Rafa, I’m hopeful, might stay with the first team. I have spoken to Mr Houllier about it.”